Search Smith County Recent Arrests
Recent arrests in Smith County are processed at the county jail in Tyler, the county seat and largest city. Smith County has a population of about 233,000 people and sits in East Texas. The Sheriff's Office runs two jail facilities and maintains all booking records, including mugshots and an online inmate roster. Arrest data is public under the Texas Public Information Act. You can look up records online, by phone, in person, or by mail. The county falls within the 7th and 114th Judicial Districts, and the District Clerk at 100 N. Broadway handles felony court case files.
Smith County Overview
Smith County Arrest Records
The Smith County Sheriff's Office maintains all arrest and booking records for the county. Sheriff Larry R. Smith oversees the department, which runs two jail facilities in Tyler. The main downtown jail sits at 206 East Elm Street, and the low-risk facility is at 2811 Public Road. All arrests within Smith County, whether by Tyler police, deputies, or state troopers, get processed through the county jail system. The jail phone number is (903) 590-2800, and the general Sheriff's Office line is (903) 590-2661.
Smith County is a large East Texas county that includes Tyler and the surrounding communities. The jail processes a high volume of bookings each year. Staff log each arrest with the person's name, date of birth, charges, bond amount, mugshot, and the details of the arrest. The online inmate roster shows current inmates with booking photos. Visitation for women is on Tuesday and Sunday, and visitation for men is on Monday and Saturday. Visitors must sign up on the day of the visit between 12:30 PM and 4:30 PM, with visiting hours running from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
| Office | Smith County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Main Jail | 206 East Elm Street, Tyler, TX 75702 |
| Low-Risk Facility | 2811 Public Road, Tyler, TX 75702 |
| Jail Phone | (903) 590-2800 |
| Sheriff Phone | (903) 590-2661 |
| District Clerk | 100 N. Broadway, Room 204, Tyler, TX 75702 / (903) 590-1660 |
The Smith County arrest records page provides details on how to search for bookings and court cases. Below is a screenshot of the arrest records information page.
This page outlines the ways to find arrest data in Smith County, including the jail inmate roster, public access terminals, and court records search options.
Search Recent Arrests Online
Smith County offers several ways to search arrest records online. The county maintains an inmate roster with booking photos that shows people currently in custody. This roster gets updated regularly and is free to use. You can also use public access terminals at the District Clerk's office at 100 N. Broadway for free on-site searches of court records.
The Smith County court records system lets you search by name or case number for basic case information at no cost. You can find criminal case details, bond amounts, and hearing dates. For conviction records across the whole state, the DPS Criminal History Search costs $3.00 per search. This database covers the Computerized Criminal History file and gets updates from all Texas agencies including Smith County.
The Texas Courts Case Search covers appellate court records. The Tyler Morning Telegraph also publishes local crime reports that can be a useful secondary source for recent arrest information. Under Texas Government Code Section 552.267, you have the right to free inspection of public records. Section 552.275 allows fee waivers for requests made in the public interest.
Public Records and Recent Arrests
Texas makes arrest records public through the Texas Public Information Act under Government Code Chapter 552. Section 552.108(c) requires the release of basic arrest data. This includes the person's name, age, address, race, sex, occupation, aliases, physical condition at booking, date and time of arrest, place of arrest, offense charged, and bond details.
Smith County follows these rules strictly. The Sheriff's Office shares basic booking data with anyone who asks. You do not need a reason, and you do not need to be related to the person. Mugshots and booking photos are public records too. Juvenile records and sealed files have separate rules, but standard adult arrest data is fully open to the public.
The Texas Attorney General's office handles public information disputes. If you are denied access to records you believe are public, you can file a complaint with the AG. The DPS criminal history search is fee-based through Government Code Chapter 411, but basic booking data from the Sheriff is free.
Smith County Crime Data
Smith County is the largest county in East Texas by population, and Tyler is a regional hub for health care, education, and commerce. The county sees a wide range of crimes, from drug offenses and property crimes to violent offenses. Tyler police handle most city arrests, while the Sheriff's Office covers the rest of the county. DPS troopers and other agencies also make arrests that get booked into the county jail.
Crime data from Smith County is reported to the DPS Crime Records Division, which compiles reports from every Texas agency. These reports feed into both state and federal crime tracking databases. Tyler's status as a regional center means it draws people from a wide area. Some arrests involve people from neighboring counties who come to Tyler for work, shopping, or medical care. Total arrests and total crimes are separate measures. The DPS data also feeds into the FBI's national tracking systems.
Texas Arrest Lookup Tools
Beyond Smith County's own resources, state-level tools can help with arrest record searches. The TDCJ Inmate Search covers people sentenced to state prison. If someone from Smith County gets a prison term, they appear in this database after transfer to a TDCJ unit. The search is free and requires no account.
Section 411.135 of the Government Code covers how conviction and deferred adjudication records are handled through the DPS system. Deferred adjudication may not show as a conviction, but the arrest record stays on file. The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement tracks officer certifications for agencies throughout Smith County, including the Tyler Police Department and the Sheriff's Office.
How to Get Arrest Records
Smith County offers more options than most Texas counties for getting arrest records. Here are the main ways.
- Check the online inmate roster for current bookings with photos
- Call (903) 590-2800 for jail booking info
- Visit the District Clerk at 100 N. Broadway for court record searches
- Mail a written request to the Sheriff's Office at 206 E. Elm St., Tyler, TX 75702
- Use the DPS Criminal History database for statewide conviction records
The online inmate roster is the fastest way to check current bookings. Phone calls work well for quick confirmations. The District Clerk's office has public access terminals where you can search court records for free. For certified copies or formal requests, you can visit in person or send a letter. Basic booking info is free. Certified copies carry a per-page fee set by state law.
Cities in Smith County
Smith County includes Tyler and several smaller communities. All arrests in these cities get processed through the Smith County jail system.
Other communities in Smith County include Lindale, Whitehouse, Bullard, Troup, and Arp. All arrests from these areas go through the Smith County jail.